Temple Committee Moves to Enforce Ban on Non-Hindu Entry at Badrinath and Kedarnath

Dehradun- Non-Hindus may soon be barred from entering the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples in Uttarakhand, key shrines of the revered Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, following an announcement by the body that administers these temples.

The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has stated that entry to the centuries-old shrines will be restricted exclusively to Hindus. The proposed rule will apply to all temples managed by the committee, including the Badrinath and Kedarnath dhams.

Confirming the move, BKTC president Hemant Dwivedi said that non-Hindus would not be permitted to enter any temple under the committee’s jurisdiction. He added that a formal proposal to implement the decision would be presented at the next meeting of the temple committee board.

The Badrinath temple is scheduled to reopen on April 23 after its customary six-month winter closure. The reopening date for the Kedarnath temple will be announced on the occasion of Maha Shivratri.

Apart from Badrinath and Kedarnath, the Chota Char Dham circuit also includes the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples. The gates of these two shrines are set to reopen on April 19, coinciding with the festival of Akshaya Tritiya.

The announcement comes amid a wider debate in Uttarakhand over restricting the entry of non-Hindus at prominent religious sites. Earlier this month, posters declaring Haridwar’s Har ki Pauri as “off-limits for non-Hindus” appeared at the internationally renowned pilgrimage site, sparking controversy.

The posters, which described the Har ki Pauri area as a ‘Hindu zone’, intensified discussions around religious access to public spaces. They were put up by Shri Ganga Sabha and read, “Non-Hindus Prohibited Entry Zone.” However, the organisation claimed the move was intended only to spread awareness and carried no ill intent.

Speaking to IANS, Shri Ganga Sabha president Nitin Gautam said that awareness of laws and regulations is essential for citizens. He explained that following a few recent incidents, the organisation felt it necessary to inform people about existing rules. “With this objective, awareness boards have been installed at major public places in Haridwar so that devotees, tourists and the general public can understand the law and seek information from the relevant authorities,” he said.

Gautam further noted that recent incidents highlighted how lack of proper information had led to disputes and discord. He maintained that the purpose of the banners was to promote awareness of rights and duties, strengthen law and order, and ensure peace and harmony.

Notably, demands to restrict the entry of non-Hindus in Haridwar have been raised for several years, especially in view of the upcoming Ardh Kumbh festival scheduled for next year.

--IANS